Megliola: The Fabulous Baker Boys

Neither the father nor the son could sleep that night. They both had the next day’s big game on their mind. Many years ago, Dennis Baker, coaching the Ashland Legion team, squared off against his father Arnold, the Westborough. "That was hard," says Baker. So was last week, when Baker faced another familial dilemma.

By Lenny Megliola/Special to the News

Milford Daily News

By Lenny Megliola/Special to the News

Posted May. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 3, 2013 at 3:04 AM

By Lenny Megliola/Special to the News

Posted May. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 3, 2013 at 3:04 AM

» Social News

Neither the father nor the son could sleep that night. They both had the next day’s big game on their mind.

Many years ago, Dennis Baker, coaching the Ashland Legion team, squared off against his father Arnold, the Westborough.

"That was hard," says Baker.

So was last week, when Baker faced another familial dilemma.

Baker, the Bellingham softball coach, took his team to Hopkinton for a Tri Valley League showdown. Both teams were 5-0. The Hopkinton coach? Baker’s son, also named Dennis, in his first year with the Hillers.

Which is why neither slept well the night before. They knew this day was coming.

"I was nervous as heck," says the father. So was the son. "He sent me a text the day of the game. He said he was sick to his stomach."

"I woke up at six a.m. to a text from my father," says Baker Jr. "It said, ‘It’s going to be a long day for both of is.’ I sent a text back: ‘Just take it easy on us.’ "

Small talk ensued before the game. "I’ve talked to him a thousand times. But this was on a different level," said Baker Sr.

Dennis Baker Sr. once saw his father on the other bench, conspiring to beat him. This time it was his son looking for the upper hand. There was nothing comfortable about the situation. Baker had flashbacks to when he coached against his dad. "I think Dennis (Jr.) was feeling that way now," he said.

Before every home game Baker Jr. gives the opposing coach a game ball so his pitcher can warm up. This time the opposition was the man who shaped his life. "The closer it got to the start of the game, the stranger it got," says Baker Jr. "We talked about what a weird day it was, and how we’d be glad when it was over."

Son’s team 7, dad’s 1.

"One of us had to get knocked out of first place," says the father. The teams will meet up again May 15 in Bellingham. "In the back of my mind I’m already thinking about that game. It’ll be a night game. There will be a pretty big crowd."

This is Baker Sr.’s 15th season at Bellingham. When the Hopkinton job opened, he encouraged his son to apply. "I told him to go for it. He was ready."

"I hold his opinion higher than anyone’s," says Baker Jr. "But he also said, ‘If you take the job it won’t be fun playing against you.’ "

Baker Sr.: "I’m really proud of him. His grandfather (deceased) would have been proud too. Dennis is a happy person right now."

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He’s a special education teacher at Hopkinton. Just like his dad had been before retiring from the classroom. Baker Jr. is also an assistant football coach at Hopkinton. The stitches that connect father and son are many. The son played baseball for the father when he was Ashland High’s coach.

"It was fun playing for him, but it had its tough points," says Baker Jr. "Sometimes we’d have strained discussions about what happened on the field."

Baker Sr. works tirelessly on the fundamentals of the game. "One of the hallmarks of his teams is that they’re always mentally tough," Baker Jr. says.

"You know how competitive my father was," says Baker Sr. "It’s the same with me and with Dennis too." Arnold Baker, a baseball guy to the core, coached his son in youth baseball. When the son played for the Framingham Legion team, Arnold assisted head coach Bill Carey.

Arnold coached the Ashland Legion from 1971 to 1988. His son took over. Two years later Arnold went over to coach the Westborough Legion. The teams had to play each other. They were in the same zone.

"I was intimidated," says Baker Sr. "My dad had taught me everything about baseball. I wanted to live up to his high standards. We probably coached against each other 12 times."

Now it’s Baker vs. Baker redux. Hopkinton and Bellingham have had strong softball teams in recent years. "It’s a very big rivalry," says Baker Sr.

No matter who wins – "He out-coached me in that game," says the father – their bond is forever sealed. Bottom line: it’s family. After the game Baker Sr. walked across the field and held his son’s five-month-old daughter, Elizabeth. That night, father and son dined at a local restaurant. The game was discussed. "He was frustrated," says Baker Jr. "He didn’t think his team played their best game. I think he’s looking forward to having another shot at us."